Benise Balaoing

Article (news)

Kyle Punsalang

Hernel Tocmo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771222819960viber_image_2026-02-16_13-32-40-265.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Cadet Kyle Punsalang. Photo from Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cadet Kyle Punsalang. <em>Photo from Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>DAVAO -- A cadet from Davao City who was undergoing apprenticeship aboard the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was among the latest cadavers recovered from the vessel and has been hailed as a hero by fellow crew members and passengers.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/15/3-bodies-found-inside-sunken-mv-trisha-kerstin-2007" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3 bodies found inside sunken MV Trisha Kerstin</a></div><p>Based on survivors’ accounts, Kyle Punsalang, 22, was able to assist fellow crew members and passengers to safety as the ship began to sink.</p><p>Passenger Joshua Abulag said in a Facebook post that he saw Punsalang distributing life jackets to him and to elderly passengers during the incident, crediting the cadet for his survival.</p><p>Kyle’s brother, JP Punsalang, who went to Zamboanga City during the early days of the search operations, said he also heard accounts from survivors who said Kyle woke them up as the ship was already listing.</p><p>Kyle was found by technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard at Deck B Economy of the ill-fated vessel. He was wearing blue coveralls and a wristwatch at the time of recovery.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/26/vessel-with-332-onboard-sinks-off-basilan-rescue-ongoing-0811" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ferry sinking kills 18, leaves 10 missing off Basilan</a></div><p>“Napansin nila na si Kyle na gumising sa mga crew at pasahero. Sabi ng ibang crew, if &#x27;di daw sila ginising ni Kyle, baka sila din daw naging missing na rin. Nakita rin nila si Kyle na sobrang lungkot at that time na tumagilid na ang barko,” his brother JP told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>Kyle’s story went viral on social media shortly after the incident, after he was able to reach out to his family and plead for help as MV Trisha Kerstin 3 began sinking off Basilan on January 26.</p><p>“Me tagilid among barko. Tabangggg (Our ship is listing. Help!) Puno kaayo mi karon ug pasahero, fully booked (We are fully booked with passengers),” he said in his last message to his family, sent while the ship was sinking.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PROMISING CADET WITH A FUTURE AHEAD</strong></div><p>JP said the 20 days of waiting for updates were “the worst,” describing the period as extremely difficult and painful as the family continued to hope that Kyle was still alive.</p><p>“There are times na tutulo na lang ang luha namin dahil sa lungkot,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/dotr-mv-trisha-kerstin-3-was-carrying-too-many-passengers-and-too-much-cargo-1454" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DOTr: MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying too many passengers and too much cargo</a></div><p>Described by his brother as kind, dependable, and goal-oriented, Kyle was known for having a strong sense of responsibility and always putting his family first.</p><p>“Sabi pa nga niya, he wanted to be the youngest captain because he wanted his father to retire as seaman,” he said.</p><p>JP added that his family, along with other survivors and families of victims, has been preparing to demand accountability over the maritime tragedy.</p><p>“ALL people involved will pay for that they have done. Lahat po ng kasakiman nila should end. If we become silent, this will be a never-ending pattern, and an ill-cycle pa,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/12/survivor-says-life-jackets-on-mv-trisha-kerstin-3-were-in-locked-cabinets-2255" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Survivor says life jackets on MV Trisha Kerstin 3 were in locked cabinets</a></div><p>As of the latest count, 57 bodies have been recovered from MV Trisha Kerstin 3, while 22 others remain missing.</p>

<p>A cadet from Davao City who was aboard the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has been hailed as a hero by fellow crew members and passengers.</p>

A cadet from Davao City who was aboard the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has been hailed as a hero by fellow crew members and passengers.

Promising cadet hailed as hero in MV Trisha Kerstin-3 tragedy found dead after 20 days

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Promising cadet hailed as hero in MV Trisha Kerstin-3 tragedy found dead after 20 days

Hernel Tocmo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 16, 2026 02:25 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 16, 2026 02:48 PM PHT

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MV Trisha Kerstin

Philippine Coast Guard

Aleson Shipping Lines

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